Round 6, 1923
Fitzroy vs Melbourne
Saturday 9 June
Venue: Brunswick Street
Attendance: 18,000
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Fitzroy | 1.1 | 7.3 | 10.7 | 11.11.77 |
| Melbourne | 3.2 | 5.8 | 7.11 | 9.16.70 |
Fitzroy win by 7 points
Goalkickers: Richard Taylor 3, Hugh Dunbar 2, Percy Tulloh 2, Bob Corbett 1, Joe Flanagan 1
Milestones:
First Game
Bob Abernethy
Last Game
Jack House
First Goal
Joe Flanagan (28th game)
Having won their third straight match to go second on the ladder the Redlegs found themselves in a dire position at the last change but stormed home to fall just short in an exciting finish.
Without the injured George Haines, Harry Coy or flu victim Percy Wilson Melbourne were sorely undermanned against the defending premiers but gave a good account of themselves. In poor conditions the two teams still managed to put on an entertaining game of a decent standard, but without their two first choice rovers Melbourne were lucky to get as close as they did.
Despite their impediments the visitors still had a chance of victory but poor kicking for goal cost any chance of a fourth straight win. Fitzroy started with a slight wind advantage and kicked the first goal before Melbourne replied, before kicking two more goals before quarter time to take the lead. Fitzroy then hit back, kicking six goals to two in the second term to take a comfortable lead into half time.
Melbourne rallied in the third quarter, but missed several chances due to poor kicking. They still got the margin down to seven but fell short.
Corbett, Alf Wilson and Lilley were Melbourne's best. Melbourne won the free kick count 34-33. Makin was a late replacement for the injured Coy.
One of the fathers of the game, Henry Harrison was in attendance despite being well over 80 years old and was noted as one of the most enthusiastic barrackers for the Reds.
Notes
Herald gives the crowd as 10,000.
Media
Herald - 09/06/1923
Herald - 15/06/1923
Football Record R7 1923